From x-ray telescopes to neutron scattering: Using axisymmetric mirrors to focus a neutron beam
We demonstrate neutron beam focusing by axisymmetric mirror systems based on a pair of mirrors consisting of a confocal ellipsoid and hyperboloid. Such a system, known as a Wolter mirror configuration, is commonly used in x-ray telescopes. The axisymmetric Wolter geometry allows nesting of severa...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | en_US |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2011
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/61704 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9490-2771 |
| Summary: | We demonstrate neutron beam focusing by axisymmetric mirror systems based on a pair of mirrors
consisting of a confocal ellipsoid and hyperboloid. Such a system, known as a Wolter mirror
configuration, is commonly used in x-ray telescopes. The axisymmetric Wolter geometry allows
nesting of several mirror pairs to increase collection efficiency. We have implemented a system
containing four nested Ni mirror pairs, which was tested by focusing a polychromatic neutron beam at
the MIT Reactor. In addition, we have carried out extensive ray-tracing simulations of the mirrors and
their performance in different situations. The major advantages of the Wolter mirrors are nesting for
large angular collection, and aberration-free performance. We discuss how these advantages can be
utilized to benefit various neutron scattering methods, such as imaging, SANS, and time-of-flight
spectroscopy. |
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